"Food has always been important. We grew up in the restaurant business. My mom ran a restaurant (in Baytown) for 17 years," said Stefani Vara, who hatched the idea of a reality cooking show after a long afternoon in the kitchen with her family.

"We're always in the kitchen - laughing, sharing, kidding, cooking. I thought, 'This would make great television.' "

The Varas have filmed eight episodes of "Comida Caliente." Taking the lead in the kitchen is family matriarch Dene Vara. She is joined by her three daughters, ages 29-36. Danielle Vara Aleman is the oldest (and a mother of four). Stefani Vara is the middle child, and Dianna is the youngest.

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Earlier this year, the Varas used Kickstarter to raise $10,000 for the initial production of the show and later found a major sponsor in Goya Foods. Producer Maureen Aladin of Twelve18 Media is shopping "Comida Caliente" to content distributors.

In each episode, Dene Vara teaches her daughters the techniques and tricks of cooking family favorites.

"These are old recipes that were passed down from my grandmother," Dene Vara explained. "While our lifestyles are different, it's important to keep the recipes true to the original. This is comfort food. It may be prepared differently, but the heart of what we're serving is the same."

"We don't have a lot to pass down," Danielle says in the 'Comida Caliente' trailer, "but we do have the hot sauce."

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Events

Premiere party: Dene Vara and her daughters will host a premiere party 7-10 p.m. Friday at Peveto Design Studio, 2627 Colquitt. The public is invited, but you must RSVP to ComidaCaliente1@gmail.com.

"As I've gotten older, I've enjoyed the new relationships (with her girls). I've gotten to be more of a friend with my daughters. We communicate on a different level. I'm still Mom, but we're friends."

Stefani Vara hopes that people will be able to relate to her family, and she sees "Comida Caliente" as a celebration of sisterhood.

"We're having a great time, and we hope people will see that."

One of the entertaining aspects of "Comida Caliente" is the differences in the Vara siblings.

"You'll see that I'm not one of the best cooks," Stefani Vara conceded. "If I'm looking for a great meal, I can go to my big sister's house, or I wait for Mom to cook."

So what is "Comida Caliente's" biggest take-away for home cooks?

"If I can do it," Stefani Vara said, "you can do it."

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